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May

Watercolour
c.1785 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Woman wearing a robe anglaise and sheer apron over a contrasting petticoat, with a cap and elaborate hat on top of the cap. She is seen from the back view, leaning upon the sill of an open window. Through the window can be seen people dancing in the streets. In one hand she holds a book. In the back of the room is an open floor-to-ceiling window showing an idyllic forest path, in contrast to the street scene visible from the other window. A mantle trimmed with lace is hung beside the first window.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • May (assigned by artist)
  • The Months (allegorical representations of)
Materials and techniques
pen and ink and watercolour drawing
Brief description
Robert Dighton: Watercolour drawing of a fashionably dressed lady. From a set of 12 representing The Months. c.1785. (E.33 to 41-1947)
Physical description
Woman wearing a robe anglaise and sheer apron over a contrasting petticoat, with a cap and elaborate hat on top of the cap. She is seen from the back view, leaning upon the sill of an open window. Through the window can be seen people dancing in the streets. In one hand she holds a book. In the back of the room is an open floor-to-ceiling window showing an idyllic forest path, in contrast to the street scene visible from the other window. A mantle trimmed with lace is hung beside the first window.
Dimensions
  • Average height: 32.4cm
  • Average width: 24.8cm
Gallery label
Robert Dighton (1752–1814)
‘May’, from the series ‘The Months’
London, about 1785
Robert Dighton, who produced both caricatures and fashion illustration, serves as an early example of the link between the two genres. He found fame with his caricatures but also produced fashion-focused illustrations, such as this watercolour from a set of allegorical representations of the months. Each month is represented by a different, fashionably dressed young woman in a well-appointed interior.
Ink, watercolour and bodycolour
Museum no. E.37-1947
Anonymous
Production
One of a set of 12 allegorical representations of The Months.
Subject depicted
Associated objects
Bibliographic reference
Victoria and Albert Museum, Department of Engraving, Illustration and Design & Department of Paintings, Accessions 1947, London: HMSO, 1950.
Collection
Accession number
E.37-1947

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Record createdJune 30, 2009
Record URL
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